Season 3: Episode 22: "Goodbye to All That"

Written by Ken Horton & Chip Johannessen

Directed by Thomas J. Wright

Airdate: May 21, 1999

Guest Star: Jade Malle (Cheryl Kellough)

"Goodbye to All That" was the final episode of Millennium, although Frank Black would later appear on the X-Files episode "Millennium" as a coda of sorts. 

Unlike shows of the "prestige TV era" like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Lost, or Mad Men, Millennium was canceled before it could tie up all the loose ends. But we do get a sense of closure and even a glimmer of hope. 

The episode picks up after the explosion of the previous episode "Via Dolorosa." Agent Baldwin survived the blast but is later killed in the ambulance by a paramedic. frank continues to pursue Lucas Barr, who is leaving clues behind connected to the stations of the cross. Later Frank is shown video footage Barr took of Jordan sleeping, putting him into a rage. He breaks into Watt's house as he's having a family dinner, demanding to know the connections between Barr and the Group. Watts pleads ignorance but later confides to Frank that Barr took part in brain enhancing experiments for the group.

Meanwhile, Watts convinces Hollis to join the group, so they help her father, who later regrets the procedure for mysterious reasons. Frank tracks Barr down, he's living with a blind woman named Jade as he plans more killings. Frank captures him, then Barr takes a drill to his own head but spares Jade. 

Frustrated with the FBI and Hollis's betrayal, Frank leaves the FBI. He drives off with Jordan, as they look towards an uncertain future. Jordan says, "We are All Shepherds," and Frank agrees.

Frank's place in the FBI was always tenuous, and pressures from the group compelled him to go into self-imposed exile. Hollis leaving Frank for the group was unfortunate, shattering the bond they built over the season. We see a dead body in Watt's home office, assuming he was killed by the Group, possibly for failing to win back Frank.

The third season brought Millennium back to its roots in another season of quality television.

This blog was written as an appreciation of Millennium, a retrospective look at an influential show that's now been off the air for 25 years. I hope whoever finds this blog finds value in these posts. I'd like to think Frank Black is still out there somewhere fighting the good fight. 

Sept 16, 2019 - Sept. 10, 2025